Joined: Thu Mar 13, 2003 7:58 amPosts: 417Location: Westerhope...formerly Bedlington - Home to the most successful team in Wansbeck

It can discuss all it wants, they are either in the pyramid or they aren't. Reading Mike latest blog I don't think it is particularly helpful (we've always disagreed on the restructuring issue)

He did take a lot of criticism on his attitude during his tenure, but the issues predate even this, had the NL been a supportive participant from the outset of the creation of the pyramid, then the League (and its constituent clubs) would be in a much healthier position than they are now.

I agree, previous years of clubs not even considering promotion has forced the hand of the FA. The NL needs to decide if it truly wants to be part of the pyramid system, which will require clubs accepting promotiom.

To many clubs (and I don’t need to name) spend fortunes on playing staff with no planning for promotion. Spending £200-300 per week on one player, at this level, and not wanting to progress?? Doesn’t make sense.

I agree, previous years of clubs not even considering promotion has forced the hand of the FA. The NL needs to decide if it truly wants to be part of the pyramid system, which will require clubs accepting promotiom.

To many clubs (and I don’t need to name) spend fortunes on playing staff with no planning for promotion. Spending £200-300 per week on one player, at this level, and not wanting to progress?? Doesn’t make sense.

All this discussion is the result of heads being buried in the sand for nigh on 40 years from the start of the old GOLA/ALLIANCE league ( now the National League ). The NL were asked to be a direct feeder into that league along with the Isthmian and the Northern and Southern Premier Leagues and decided not to take the option. The consequence of this has been a severe slide down the pecking order to where we are now and this was certainly exacerbated during the tenure of Mike Amos.we are now reaping what several in the past have sown.

Looking forward to NE non-league being given a new lease of life in the coming years as more clubs make the step up. From a relatively young NL-follower's point of view I think being part of the pyramid will make the Northern League a lot more appealing (even if the quality dips over time) and help get 'the next generation' more interested.

Ive always respected Mike Amos, and I am very fond of him, but he is a million miles out with his blog in my opinion. He forgets that new teams are forming, competing and progressing all the time. The amount of Clubs entering the FA Cup for example is a record high, and now entry is limited to only the top 5/6 in Div 2, up until 7 or 8 years ago everyone in Div 2 qualified.

Mike notes

It means that, over the next few years, most of the supposed “big” clubs will leave the league – in most cases not because they want to, or because it would be beneficial for them, but because the bully boys will relegate them if they’re in a top two position and decline promotion

The League isn't ran for the benefit of the big clubs, its there for all clubs, and extortionate wages is actually ruining it for the majority. Mikes a great journalist but I'm a little less sure of his economics on this issue.

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